Day: June 28, 2024

NIBONG TEBAL, The Penang government has offered affordable housing to 21 families in Kampung Makau Suah, Sungai Jawi, who were previously worried that the land they have occupied for over 70 years would be reclaimed by its owner.

Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the proposal to sell homes priced at RM42,000 represents the best possible solution for the residents, given that the land is privately owned.

‘As a mediator, the state government is seeking a resolution by suggesting they purchase affordable homes in Taman Puteri Gunung, owned by the Penang government.

‘With this offer, the residents are required to pay a 10 per cent deposit. The landowner initially proposed compensation of RM3,000, but we will attempt to negotiate a higher amount to help the residents cover the RM4,200 deposit,’ he told reporters after a meeting with the affected residents today.

Also present were State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo and Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidat
e for the Sungai Bakap by-election, Dr Joohari Ariffin.

Sundarajoo, meanwhile, said his officers would meet with the landowner tomorrow to negotiate compensation for the residents and request the withdrawal of the notice to vacate the land by this Sunday, given the state government’s proposed solution.

‘If the residents agree to purchase the offered homes, we will expedite the ownership process. An agreement will be drafted with the landowner and the Penang Housing Board (LPPN), taking about three months to be finalised. Once the residents receive their keys, they can move in,’ he said.

Resident representative Nordin Hassan, 66, expressed relief that their predicament has garnered the attention of the state government.

‘We received the notice to vacate on June 26 and were given only four days to leave. It was distressing.

‘Today, the state government has come with an offer, and it feels like a weight has been lifted…I believe other residents who attended the briefing will also accept this offer as a reso
lution to the long-standing problem,’ said Nordin, who has been living there since 1991.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Cambodia stands in support of the “Six-Point Consensus on Common Understandings on the Ukraine Crisis” jointly issued by the People’s Republic of China and Brazil on May 23, 2024.

H.E. Chum Sounry, Secretary of State and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, underlined Cambodia’s stance in a statement released tonight.

The spokesperson explained that the contents of this document is apt to address the actual situation, which must emphasise four key priorities: (1) Preventing the escalation of tensions and creating a conducive environment for dialogue that requires the participation of Ukraine and Russia (2) Averting further deterioration of the humanitarian crises (3) Avoiding a nuclear crisis, and (4) Increasing efforts to improve food security, energy and supply chain stability.

The China-Brazil’s Six-Point Consensus includes:

1. The two sides call on all relevant parties to observe three principles for deescalating the situation, namely no expansion of the batt
lefield, no escalation of fighting and no provocation by any party.

2. The two sides believe that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis. All parties should create conditions for the resumption of direct dialogue and push for the deescalation of the situation until the realisation of a comprehensive ceasefire. China and Brazil support an international peace conference held at a proper time that is recognised by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties as well as fair discussion of all peace plans.

3. Efforts are needed to increase humanitarian assistance to relevant regions and prevent a humanitarian crisis on a larger scale. Attacks on civilians or civilian facilities must be avoided, and civilians including women and children and prisoners of war (POWs) must be protected. The two sides support the exchange of POWs between the parties to the conflict.

4. The use of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons and chemical and biolog
ical weapons must be opposed. All possible efforts must be made to prevent nuclear proliferation and avoid nuclear crisis.

5. Attacks on nuclear power plants and other peaceful nuclear facilities must be opposed. All parties should comply with international law including the Convention on Nuclear Safety and resolutely prevent man-made nuclear accidents.

6. Dividing the world into isolated political or economic groups should be opposed. The two sides call for efforts to enhance international cooperation on energy, currency, finance, trade, food security and the security of critical infrastructure, including oil and gas pipelines, undersea optical cables, electricity and energy facilities, and fiber-optic networks, so as to protect the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

KUALA LUMPUR: Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) achieves another milestone as the first in Southeast Asia to successfully implant a pioneering extravascular implantable defibrillator (ICD) today.

The Aurora Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (EV-ICD), a first-of-its-kind device developed by Medtronic, provides hope for patients vulnerable to sudden cardiac arrests caused by abnormally fast heart rhythms.

In a statement today, IJN announced that the inaugural Aurora EV-ICD implant procedure was conducted by Datuk Dr. Azlan Hussin, Clinical Director of Electrophysiology and Implantable Devices. The patient is currently recovering as expected.

‘The Aurora EV-ICD system is designed to monitor the heart’s rhythm continuously, delivering a precisely timed electric shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm, when necessary, in patients at risk for sudden cardiac deaths,’ the statement read.

In addition to delivering life-saving defibrillation and anti-tachycardia pacing in a single implantable syst
em, EV-ICD bypasses the traditional manner of ICD implantation as it is implanted outside of the circulatory system, said the statement.

It added that this unique feature provides advantages and offers an alternative option to selected patients who require an ICD but encounter barriers to conventional implantation methods.

In the same statement, Dr Azlan explained that this novel solution is an alternative to traditional defibrillator implantation techniques.

‘Conventional ICDs usually have their leads run through the veins directly into the heart. However, EV-ICD has its lead positioned outside the heart and veins.

‘This goes a long way in eliminating the risk of long-term complications we see with transvenous leads, such as blood infections.

‘It also overcomes the challenges of vascular blockages preventing lead placement as well, in selected patients who require the protection of an ICD, yet require the preservation of vascular integrity,’ said Dr Azlan.

IJN stated that the device is integrated with
Medtronic’s CareLink network, which enables healthcare providers to remotely monitor patients’ heart conditions and detect possible issues and complications from the onset.

‘In a published study involving 356 patients at 46 hospitals worldwide, EV- was shown to have a defibrillation success rate of 98.7 percent. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, also found that the device met safety goals by having no major system or procedural complications six months after the implant,’ it said.

Meanwhile, IJN chief executive officer Datuk Dr Aizai Azan Abdul Rahim said the institute has always been at the forefront of medical innovation, and the Aurora EV-ICD is a testament to that legacy.

‘Today’s achievement further underscores the relentless commitment of our entire team to push the boundaries of what is possible,’ he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency